ShopRite and the Connecticut Open recently donated $7,644.74 and 80 pounds of food to the Connecticut Food Bank, enough to provide 15,290 meals to those in need. The funds were raised during the ShopRite Partners in Caring Food Drive during the 2017 Connecticut Open tennis tournament. Pictured from left to right are Dana Cialfi, tournament manager and marketing director, Connecticut Open, Bernie Beaudreau, CEO, Connecticut Food Bank, and Harry Garafalo, ShopRite.

Tennis fans truly “served” the community by supporting the ShopRite Partners In Caring Food Drive during the 2017 Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies. Fans helped raise a total of $7,644.74 and collected 80 pounds of food for the Connecticut Food Bank, enough to provide 15,290 meals to those in need statewide. ShopRite and Connecticut Open representatives recently presented the donation at the Connecticut Food Bank distribution center in Wallingford, Connecticut.

“Thank you to our fans and partners for helping in the fight against hunger in Connecticut,” said Anne Worcester, tournament director, Connecticut Open. “This is our second year partnering with ShopRite on this initiative and I am proud of our fans for supporting such an important cause in our community.”

“Major events and partners like the Connecticut Open help us continue our mission and serve those in need,” said Harry Garafalo, whose family operates ShopRite stores in Milford, East Haven, Stratford, Orange and Hamden, Conn. “The ShopRite Partners in Caring program helps to raise funds and food donations throughout our communities. Thank you, Connecticut Open fans, for your continued support and generosity.”

The mission of the Connecticut Food Bank is to provide nutritious food to people in need. It does so by supplying food products and resources through a network of member agencies as well as through direct food distribution programs and by promoting public awareness about the problem of hunger.

“More than 400,000 Connecticut residents struggle with hunger and more than 127,000 children are food insecure - not knowing where their next meal is coming from,” added Bernie Beaudreau, CEO, Connecticut Food Bank. “This donation comes during a time of year when the holidays can be a difficult for those who struggle with hunger. This donation will go directly to our Thanksgiving For All initiative and help share the bounty of the season with neighbors in need.”